New Home For Pensioners

Chelsea Pensioners and nurses enjoy the countryside after being evacuated from London during the Second World War, 1940

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea was founded by Charles II in 1681 as a home for former soldiers, and opened 11 years later. Like many of London’s buildings, the hospital – which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren – was damaged by air raids during the Second World War. On 16 April 1941, a bomb destroyed the East Wing and killed eight pensioners, four nurses and the wardmaster, and the hospital was hit by a V2 rocket in 1945. Although the majority of the pensioners and staff stayed in the capital, some were evacuated. The four veterans in this photo have found a new home in a hospital in the Home Counties, with blossoming grounds and even a puppy. The Royal Hospital is still open today, and houses about 300 former soldiers.